:dancefool
]]>NFL Football ForumSopranohttp://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=1134673microfractureshttp://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=1134631&goto=newpost
Sun, 17 Mar 2019 00:08:55 GMTcheck this out. Is horse racing going the way of the nfl?

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Although this doesn't necessarily explain what is happening at Santa Anita, I found it interesting reading...

The vast majority of catastrophic racing injuries are preventable, the result of repeated smaller injuries that go undetected or are simply ignored in hopes of getting a horse on the track as much as possible.

“These are orthopedic failures, not single-step failures. The horse didn’t step in a hole. The horse didn’t take a bad step,” she said. “If you bend a paper clip back and forth 200 times, then put it back in shape so it looks brand new and hand it to me, the next time I bend it, it might come apart in two pieces even though I insist I did not bend it hard. That’s how these fractures occur.”

It starts with a microfracture. Then a small, partial fracture. Finally, in the heat of a big race or perhaps just a light training session, the bone shatters. It seems sudden, a fluke. Most likely, it’s not.

“This is really just the normal physiological consequence of an increasing workload,” Lyons said. “Take a human runner. Most runners know that when they increase their distances and then say, ‘Boy, my shins were killing me last night after a run,’ that they need to back off for the next week. They need to let it heal. What they do with horses is give them anti-inflammatories without a diagnosis, then keep training and racing.”

Lyons said new technology is being developed that would allow a CT scan to be performed in a matter of minutes on a horse’s front and rear legs, which could be a revolutionary step forward in equine medical care. But the industry must be willing to pay for the machines, which are expected to cost about $300,000 U.S. apiece. Also, there must be enforcement in place to ensure that when a potential problem is discovered, the horse is kept off the track until fully healed.

We saw lots of speed, strength and power at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis as prospects for the 2019 NFL draft jockey for first-round status. And with it, there's some more movement in projecting the opening 32 picks.

Players now have one more shot to show what they've got on the field at their schools' pro days, taking place over the next few weeks. Then teams will have to figure out how they grade each player and how those players fit within their systems as we race toward April 25, when names will be called in Nashville, Tennessee.

Let's take another turn through all 32 first-round picks for 2019. And for a deeper look into each selection, tune into ESPN2 and the ESPN App at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday for a SportsCenter special going through my picks.

Kyler Murray, QB, OklahomaWe can't deny the rumblings here, and we know new coach Kliff Kingsbury recruited Murray in college. I'm not all-in on Arizona taking him just yet, though -- the Cards could be trying generate trade interest among the QB-needy teams. Still, the just-tall-enough Murray is a perfect fit to help Kingsbury transition the Air Raid offense to the NFL, and this pick makes sense from a scheme standpoint with all Murray's athleticism. Now, what could the Cardinals get for Josh Rosen?2. San Francisco 49ers

Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio StateThe Niners will be hunting for pass-rushers this offseason, and getting the best overall player in the class at No. 2 would be a fantastic start. Bosa has length, speed and power from the edge, and it's fathomable that the Buckeye paces San Francisco's defensive line in sacks as a rookie. He's that good.

<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>Quinnen Williams, DT, AlabamaThe Jets need defensive linemen for new coordinator Gregg Williams, and the Alabama tackle fits perfectly as an interior pass-rusher who also can stop the run. Williams was incredible at the combine, and his quick first step would be a force on the inside for Gang Green.

Josh Allen, OLB, KentuckyWhen you manage just 13 sacks -- a league low, and 17 fewer than the next-worst team -- you'd best be looking for pass-rushers. Allen himself out-sacked the Raiders in 2018, recording 17 coming off the edge for Kentucky. If the Jets don't take him at No. 3, he fits a big need here.

Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi StateIf you set a combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash for a defensive lineman (4.41 seconds at 260 pounds), you're going to make some money. Sweat has a ton of upside, and Tampa Bay badly needs difference-makers on defense. But there's also a very real possibility that the Bucs trade back with a team looking for a quarterback, and taking the best available offensive lineman -- perhaps Jawaan Taylor -- makes sense in that scenario.

Rashan Gary, DE, MichiganThe Lions need edge rushers with Ezekiel Ansah entering free agency. Gary had a good week at the combine, showing his athleticism and explosiveness. A lack of production in college might cause him to fall out of the top five, but if he is coached properly, the talent and skill set are there to be a stellar disruptor.

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole MissHe's an absolute monster at 6-foot-3 with ridiculous strength and 4.33 40 speed. Metcalf specializes in running the 9 route, and Josh Allen has the big arm to get him the ball. It has been a while since Buffalo had a real receiving talent like Metcalf, but don't sleep on the offensive line here, either. A good chunk of that unit will enter free agency.

Jonah Williams, OT, AlabamaDenver has to upgrade the offensive line, and Williams is an experienced starter who would immediately provide an improvement at right tackle. New starting QB Joe Flacco is going to need protection, and Williams can handle speed off the edge with his quick feet.11. Cincinnati Bengals

Devin White, ILB, LSUThere are a lot of needs here, but White is a three-down 'backer who can play sideline to sideline. He's one of my top prospects in the class and really impressed at the combine. The Bengals need a quarterback of the defense, and the value for White is tremendous outside of the top 10.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, IowaYes, the Packers re-signed Jimmy Graham, but he is 32 years old and his production has declined. Hockenson combines size, speed and strength at the position, and he would give Aaron Rodgers a real weapon in the passing game.

Drew Lock, QB, MissouriIf the Ryan Tannehill era is indeed coming to a close, Lock would give new offensive coordinator Chad O'Shea a quarterback to develop. Lock has great mobility and arm strength, even though he needs some work with mechanics and ball placement.14. Atlanta Falcons

Christian Wilkins, DT, ClemsonPutting Wilkins right next to Grady Jarrett, who was franchise-tagged by the Falcons, would help fix a run defense that allowed nearly 5 yards per carry last season. Wilkins is an explosive interior player who was a four-year starter for the defending national champs.15.Washington Redskins

Marquise Brown, WR, OklahomaNo change from my previous mock, as the speedy Brown heads to the nation's capital. Washington will be looking for improvements in multiple areas, but adding a burner would open up this offense. Brown has good hands and can outrun just about anyone.

Clelin Ferrell, DE, ClemsonCarolina dropped opposing quarterbacks for a sack only 35 times in 2018. Free agency is one way to handle that, but Ferrell has very good physicality and quick hands at the point of contact. He'd be a presence on the edge for the Panthers after running up 11.5 sacks with Clemson last season.

Andre Dillard, OT, Washington StateDillard showed off elite athleticism for the position at the combine. He is a superb pass-protector who also has the range to cut off linebackers at the second level. And the Browns will be looking for a young left tackle to help protect Baker Mayfield's blind side for years to come.

Ed Oliver, DT, HoustonValue, value, value. Oliver is one of the top 10 players in the class. So although offensive line is a more glaring immediate need here, the Vikings could plug Oliver into the middle of that defensive line between Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunterand create headaches for offensive coordinators. He's a perfect replacement for free agent Sheldon Richardson.

Garrett Bradbury, C, NC StateI think Bradbury is the best, most NFL-ready interior offensive lineman in the class. Ben Jones has played guard before, so the Titans could move him over and slide Bradbury in at center to drastically improve this unit. He has some athleticism and power in the middle.20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Devin Bush, ILB, MichiganPittsburgh hasn't been able to replace Ryan Shazier in the middle of that linebacker group. We've seen Bush go sideline to sideline with Michigan, but his 4.43 40 time at the combine really drove home just how fast this kid is. He's an every-down talent and would fit in nicely with an already strong defense.21. Seattle Seahawks

Josh Jacobs, RB, AlabamaHow do you make a dual-threat quarterback like Lamar Jackson even scarier? Put an explosive three-down running back like Jacobs next to him in the shotgun. Jacobs was never a full-time starter at Alabama, so he has a lot of tread left on the tires -- and a whole lot of pop out of the backfield.23. Houston Texans

Cody Ford, OT, OklahomaThe secondary is going to have some holes, and I do like the idea of Dexter Lawrence plugging the middle of Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense. But the Texans allowed 62 sacks last season, the league high by six. Full stop. Ford is a big mauler who would help keep franchise QB Deshaun Watson off his back, and he could play tackle or guard.

Byron Murphy, CB, WashingtonAfter addressing the pass rush with Allen at No. 4, the Raiders could look for a ball hawk in the secondary here. Murphy's football intelligence and fast eyes would make him a good fit in Paul Guenther's defensive scheme.

Rock Ya-Sin, CB, TempleWe all know the Eagles want to fix the secondary, and while the Philly faithful might be clamoring for Greedy Williams here, I like Ya-Sin's full skill toolbox. He impressed me at the combine and deserves first-round consideration.26. Indianapolis Colts

Taylor Rapp, S, WashingtonWith a pretty good group of safeties out there on the free-agent market, the Colts could opt to address it there. But with Matt Eberflus' 4-3 featuring under Cover 2 and Tampa 2 components, Indy will be looking for speed and versatility. Rapp checks those boxes.27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas Cowboys)

Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio StateIt'd be poetic for the Raiders to use the exact pick they got for Amari Cooper to add a game-changing wide receiver. Campbell displayed 4.31 speed in Indianapolis and hauled in 90 balls for 12 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards last season. He'd be an explosive receiver for Derek Carr (or whoever is playing QB for the Raiders) and has the ability to develop a really polished route tree.28. Los Angeles Chargers

Dexter Lawrence, DT, ClemsonL.A. already has Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on this defensive line. Now drop in a 342-pound run-stopper with 5.05 speed and high-end athleticism. With multiple members of this unit heading toward free agency, Lawrence would be a great get.

Deandre Baker, CB, GeorgiaAndy Reid has to find a way to improve the secondary, and Baker does a nice job reading routes with terrific instincts in coverage. Only the Bengals allowed more passing yards last season, and Steven Nelson will be a free agent. Once Kansas City gets a corner, it will likely consider a running back in the second or third round.

Noah Fant, TE, IowaThe Rams scored 32.9 points per game in 2018, second to only the Chiefs. And adding a tight end with 4.51 speed could help keep the offense at that pace. Fant is essentially a big slot receiver, which would create exploitable matchups for Jared Goff and coach Sean McVay on offense. Getting the second Iowa tight end here would be a steal.32. New England Patriots

Irv Smith Jr., TE, AlabamaI really wanted to go defensive line here with Trey Flowers, Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton all entering free agency, but there was just no value. Instead, the Alabama tight end would give the Pats an alternative to an aging Rob Gronkowski. But I'd bet that Bill Belichick trades out of the spot to stockpile extra picks.
]]>NFL Football ForumHache Manhttp://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=1133913http://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=1133327&goto=newpost
Sun, 24 Feb 2019 21:11:07 GMTGame has not started yet but here is my first pick ever in AAF action:
*Atlanta Legends +8.5...Game has not started yet but here is my first pick ever in AAF action:

Atlanta Legends +8.5 (10 Units)

First ever home game for the Legends, won't play as bad as they did the last two weeks. Birmingham had no business beating Salt Lake at home last week but the found a way to win. QB Lopez was very suspect in that one. I'm on the home team.